JPH06244957A - Presenting method of long-haul telephone toll and routing method of long-haul telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a method used for a remote communication service supply trader in a remote communication system with a working data base. CONSTITUTION: Inter-switching network communication traders 10 and 20 can obtain charge information for a long distance telephone service in a charge data base. A private branch exchange 40 and a telephone central station 31 perform access to the charge information by using a synthetic digital communication service network and/or SS7 type signal transmission. This charge information is used as a reference for deciding which communication trader should be used when it is applied during the designation of the route of the call. This access can be performed with reference for each calling. On the other hand, the charge schedule of the communication trader can be stored in one part of the private branch exchange 40 or in a private branch switchboard. Thus, it is not necessary to inquire to the charge data base for each call.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to telecommunications.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Increasing competition in telecommunications service supply
It is a global trend. Competition is evolving to the point that many telecommunications services can be obtained from a range of telecommunications service providers. This includes both consumer-supplied services such as basic long distance telephone services and enterprise-oriented services such as complex foreign calling programs. Also, due to the existence of competition between various service providers, the fees charged for telecommunications services, rather than being set by regulation,
Due to market forces.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for use by telecommunications service providers within a telecommunications system with an operational database (eg, making tariff information available).

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method used by a telecommunications service provider for transmitting a call on a telecommunications network designated route, wherein at least one call routed on said telecommunications network. And storing in the database the charge information defining the long-distance telephone charge that is currently valid, and at least a part of the charge information to the call originator via the telecommunication signal transmission line connected to the database. And the step of supplying.

[0005]

Several techniques available today can be used to extend the notion of free market charges (specifically, per-call charges imposed on telephone calls) for telecommunications services. In accordance with the present invention, a telecommunications service provider, such as an inter-exchange carrier, makes available tariff information for at least one service (such as basic long distance telephone service) in a database. This tariff information may be "fee management" data, such as current call volume within various parts of the service provider's network (time series trends at said current level, or by other service providers at this time). Will be updated on an ongoing basis in response to the charges shown).

[0006]

1 illustrates a telecommunications network in which the present invention is implemented. As an example, the telecommunications network includes three interconnected telecommunications network service providers (ie, a regional exchange network carrier (LEC) network 30 and an inter-exchange carrier (I).
XC) communication networks 10 and 20). All of these three communication networks are terminal devices 35-connected to the central office 31 in the regional exchange network carrier communication network 30.
Serving subscribers with 1-35 to N.

Inter-exchange carrier communication networks 10 and 20
Have the same basic configuration. Therefore, only one (inter-exchange carrier communication network 10) is shown in detail. More specifically, the inter-exchange carrier network 10 comprises a plurality (three in the figure) of wide area exchange complexes (ie, inter-office trunks 115, 116 and 1).
Exchanges 11, 12 and 1 interconnected by 25
Including 3). In the typical case, the wide area switch complex serves a number of local exchange network carrier central offices.
In the present case, it is the wide area switch complex 13 that serves the central office 31 via the voice path 139.

Central office 31 and inter-exchange carrier communication network 10
The SS7 format signal transmission between the transmission line and the transmission line is performed via the link 32 and the signal transfer point 35 connected to the signal transfer point (STP) 15 in the inter-exchange carrier communication network 10 via the link 34. . Generally, an inter-exchange carrier communication network 10
Has a large number of signal transfer points, and the signal transfer point 35 can be connected to a signal transfer point other than the signal transfer point 15. In reality, each signal transfer point is a pair of signal transfer point units. As a result, the installation of each signal transfer point has a load sharing capability and a backup capability. Thus, the link shown in FIG. 1 as connected to a signal transfer point is actually split between the two signal transfer point units of the signal transfer point pair.

The inter-exchange carrier communication network 10 further comprises:
It includes a signal transmission control point (SCP) 17. Signal transmission control points are essentially, for example, "800" type calls and "90" type calls.
A database from which queries are sent from within the inter-exchange carrier network 10 to obtain routing information for "0" type calls and authorization codes for virtual private network (VPN) type calls.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a private branch exchange 40 associated with a plurality of subscriber premises service providing terminal equipment such as terminal equipment 45-1 to 45-M. The private branch exchange 40 uses the integrated digital communication service network priority (ISD)
It is connected to the central office 31 and the inter-exchange carrier network 10 via an N PRI) signal transmission link. In detail, the B channel 43 and the D channel 42 reach the central office 31. On the other hand, B channel 48 and D channel 49
And reach the switch complex 12.

Each wide area exchange complex consists of a "host" wide area exchange and an SS7 format signal transmission interface. In detail, wide area exchange complex 1
1 includes a wide area switch 111 acting as a host.
The SS7 format signal transmission interface is, for example, 198
J. W. Darnell (J.
US Pat. No. 4,752, issued to W. Darnel) et al.
Common communication network interface (CN
I) The ring 112. Wide area switch 111 uses route 1
It is connected to the common communication network interface ring 112 via 13. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, path 113 includes, by way of example, an intermediate processor that controls the passage of information between the switch and the common network interface ring.

The wide area exchange compressors 12 and 13 are
It has a similar configuration. Specifically, the wide area exchange complex 12 (13) includes a wide area exchange 121 (131) that acts as a host to the common communication network interface ring 122 (132). Wide area switch 121
(131) is substantially the same as the wide area switch 111, and is connected to the common communication network interface ring 122 (132) via the route 123 (133).

The SS7 format signal transmission between the various communication network elements described above takes place over a number of SS7 format links. In detail, the common communication network interface ring 1
12 sends SS7 to signal transfer point 15 via link 117.
Are connected in the form. Similar SS7 format connections are made to the common network interface rings 122 and 132 via links 127 and 137, respectively. Finally, the common network interface ring (not shown) in the signal transmission control point 17 is connected to the signal transfer point 15 via the link 171.

The communication network monitoring and management system 18 is also included in the inter-exchange carrier communication network 10. This will be described later. The central office 31 is interconnected with the inter-exchange carrier communication network 20 via a voice path 39. The central station 31
Is SS7 format link 32, signal transfer point 35 and SS
An SS7 format connection is made to the communication network 20 via a 7 format link 36. Further, the private branch exchange 40 is connected to the inter-exchange carrier communication network 20 through the integrated digital communication service network priority B channel 46 and the integrated digital communication service network priority D channel 47.

According to the operation of the communication network shown in FIG. 1, S
The main function of the signaling carried out over S7 type links is to allow the two network elements to be connected correctly. In this process, SS7 format signal transmission has functions such as circuit configuration or circuit disassembly and database (eg signal transmission control point) search, for example, to realize number translation for "800" service. Can be related.

SS7 format signaling capability is used for other purposes as well. Specifically, at least one of all inter-exchange carrier networks creates tariff information for at least one service (such as a basic long distance service) available in the database. More specifically,
According to this embodiment. The inter-exchange carrier communication network 10 includes a charge database 16 for maintaining long distance service charges.
To maintain. As an example, the inter-exchange carrier communication network 20
Maintains a similar database. But this is
Not required (as described in detail below).

As an example, the private branch exchange 40 and the central office 31
Both access the rate information in the rate database maintained by the rate database 16 and the inter-exchange carrier network 20. The charge information is then used as a criterion at any time to determine to which of the two inter-switch carriers the call path should be designated. According to this embodiment, the decision may take into account other factors, such as the existence of discounting methods offered by the various service providers, but at the time of the decision the two inter-network operators Only based on which offers the lower rate.

In the case of a private branch exchange, the selection of the inter-exchange carrier is performed in the private branch exchange, and the call is made through this private branch exchange that is directly connected to the selected inter-exchange carrier. Be transmitted to. In the case of the central office 31, the regional exchange of the subscriber of the regional exchange telecommunications carrier determines to the subscriber the inter-exchange telecommunications carrier with the lowest cost for the dial call, and the inter-exchange telecommunications carrier automatically makes the dial call. Suppose that the central office operates to offer a "lowest cost call" (LCC) service for private transmission.

In the first example, it may not be possible to determine which switching network operator is the lowest cost service provider. For example, the initial charge for one carrier may be cheaper. On the other hand, other carriers' initial per-minute charges may be cheaper. In such situations, certain methodologies may be used to make the decision as to which carrier to use. For example, the decision can be based simply on the average length of all inter-network calls, on a general model of the call duration between the geographical locations, or from the particular terminal equipment. It can also be based on statistical information about the call duration obtained, either general or dialed specific location.

The existence of special billing methods offered by service providers, which may be contracted by a particular subscriber, may also be taken into account in making the carrier's choice. If the charges offered by the two carriers are the same, or if the lowest cost service provider for the call cannot be otherwise specified, the call is immediately issued to the prespecified default service provider (US telecommunications industry). Now, it can be sent to a "Main Switching Provider" (PIC).

The tariff database 16 uses the standard communications network database access mechanism to signal transfer points 15 and S
It is accessed via the S7 format link 161. In detail, the central office 31 uses the standard S for extracting desired information.
The fee database 16 may be accessed using only S7 format transaction capability messages. Private branch exchange 40 may also query tariff database 16 when it has an SS7 format link to a signal transfer point. Private branch exchanges of certain large enterprise customers already communicate with signaling control points, for example to utilize so-called intelligent call processing (ICP) services,
Have SS7 format links in place.

However, according to this embodiment, the private branch exchange 4
0 has no SS7 format signal transmission capability. Rather, private branch exchange 40 access to the tariff databases of the two inter-exchange carrier networks is via an integrated digital communications service network connection of private branch exchange 40 to the inter-exchange carrier network. Again, standard techniques may be used in this connection. A signal transmission control point 1 for intelligent call processing using an integrated digital communication service network for signal transmission to a private branch exchange as described in more detail below.
A method of providing a communication network database access capability such as 7 is already known.

Access to the rate database 16 may be on a call-by-call basis. That is, for example, if the subscriber of the terminal device 35-1 connected to the central office 31 or the terminal device 45-1 connected to the private branch exchange 40 inputs the number of the telephone number, the central office or the premises is always The exchange queries various inter-exchange carrier networks to obtain current rate information for the call. On the other hand, the carrier's complete long-distance tariff schedule applicable to calls originating from the private branch exchange or central office is accessed on a regular basis (eg every 15 minutes) and is part of the private branch exchange or central office. Accumulated in. This eliminates the need to query the database for each call.

The local exchange network carrier and the inter-exchange network carrier should be informed in the tariff database well in advance of the rate change taking effect so that they can be confident that the local exchange network carrier will always have the current tariff. It is possible to establish the communication protocol that becomes available. Arrange for tariff changes to be available within 10 minutes, 25 minutes, 40 minutes and 55 minutes after 1 hour, for example, to take effect exactly after 5 minutes (ie within 15 minutes). it can. Another possibility is
By having the inter-exchange carrier automatically transmit the tariff information to the central office when there is a change in the tariff applied to calls originating from the local exchange network carrier or the central office on a regular basis. , Avoiding the need for a local exchange carrier or central office to repeatedly access the tariff database of an inter-exchange carrier.

On the other hand, each central office receives
Instead of receiving the tariff schedule information directly, the local exchange network carrier may receive the tariff schedule information in response to an inquiry or via an automatic transmission from the service provider. Then, the regional exchange network carrier may a) distribute the tariff schedule information to the central office managed by the regional exchange network carrier, or b) make an inquiry from each central office managed by the regional exchange network carrier. Provide a local exchange network carrier database that can.

The latter approach allows the local exchange network carrier database to compare in advance the rates offered by the various service providers, eg (if desired).
Using one or more of the statistical call models described above, it is possible to determine and store information indicating which carrier offered the lowest tariff to each destination central office within the overall communication network.
It can be particularly advantageous. The central office then determines which service provider the call should be sent to simply by querying the central area switching network carrier database (indicating the destination area code and the area switching network code in its inquiry). sell.

Also, if a particular service provider chooses not to maintain a rate database, nevertheless, the published fixed rate of said service provider can be stored locally, The tariff may be compared to the tariff offered by the service provider who modifies the tariff.

The various possibilities described above are illustrated by the flow charts of FIGS.

Specifically, FIG. 2 is an example of the private branch exchange described above. The caller of the terminal device 45-1 dials the telephone number of the called party (action block 201). Based on this, the private branch exchange 40 determines whether the call is a call to be toll checked. When the call is not a call to be tariffed (eg, when the call is made within the private exchange area of the private branch exchange), the call is typically completed (action block 204). However, when the tariff is to be checked, private branch exchange 40 concurrently queries inter-exchange carriers 10 and 20.

Particularly, regarding the inter-exchange carrier 10, the private branch exchange 40 is recommended by 932 Facility information element (FI
E) is used to issue an integrated digital communications service network setup request (action block 206). This request contains therein the information needed to determine what the applicable tariff for the call will be. Such information includes, for example, calling and called party telephone number area codes, and calling party called area switching network codes and called party called area switching network codes. This request is sent to the wide area exchange 121 via the D channel 49, the common communication network interface ring 122, and the link 123. The wide area switch 121 immediately recommends Q.6. The 932 facility information element is converted to an SS7 format transaction function application start message (action block 209) and then immediately this message is sent to the tariff database 16. The fee database 16 performs a search and returns the fee (action block 213). The tariff database 16 performs a search and again uses the global title translation to return the tariff data to the wide area switch 121 with a transaction function application end message (action block 216).

As is well known, long distance charges are typically defined by the geographical distance between the endpoints. Therefore, the search may include some simple calculations to determine the fee.

The wide area exchange 121 sends the end message of the transaction function application section to the recommendation Q. Convert to 932 facility information element and send it to private branch exchange 40 (action block 218).

At the same time that the operation blocks 206 to 218 are performed in the inter-exchange carrier 10, at the same time, 22 in general.
A similar set of operation blocks designated by 0 is performed within the inter-exchange carrier 20. Finally, private branch exchange 4
0 gets all the charges imposed on this call by one of the two Inter-network Operators. Private branch exchange 40
Compares these rates, selects a carrier based on this comparison, and then allocates the call to the selected carrier via the appropriate priority link (action block 21).
9).

All steps of FIG. 3 are access to the tariff database by the local exchange carrier 30 to provide subscribers who may wish to receive a "lowest cost call" service, in order to provide this service. Illustrate
A subscriber (customer) such as a subscriber using the terminal device 35-1 directs the call to the central office 31 (action block 30).
1). Central office 31 determines from an internal database (not shown) whether the subscriber has agreed to purchase the lowest cost call service (action block 304).

If the subscriber has not purchased the lowest cost call service, the call is forwarded to the pre-switched main network operator (action block 305). If the subscriber agrees to purchase the lowest cost call service, the central office concurrently queries the inter-exchange carriers 10 and 20, as is the case with the private branch exchange 40 described above. Since the central office 31 has a direct SS7 format link to the inter-exchange carrier tariff database, the integrated digital services network signaling is irrelevant in this case. Rather, the central office has SS7 format links 32,
Signal transfer point 35, SS7 format link 34, signal transfer point 1
5 and SS7 format link 161 to the appropriate S
Send the S7 format transaction function application section start message. The tariff database performs the operations described above with respect to FIG. 2 and provides the desired data to the central office 31 with a transaction function application end message.

At the same time that operational blocks 306 and 309 are being performed within the switching network operator 10, a similar set of operating blocks, generally designated 330, is being performed within the switching network operator 20. There is. Finally, Central Office 31
Makes available all charges charged to this call by one of the two inter-network carriers. Central station 3 as before
1 compares these charges, selects a carrier based on this comparison, and then allocates the call to the selected carrier (action block 311).

As noted above, another option that is different from querying the tariff database for each call is to access the carrier's full-distance tariff schedule on a regular basis (eg, every 15 minutes) and store these tariffs locally. It is to accumulate in a timely manner. This approach is illustrated again in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the context of the lowest cost call service offered by the local exchange carrier.

Operation blocks 401 and 402 in FIG.
The central station 31 (via any of the mechanisms described above)
It represents the process of periodically receiving from the internetworking carrier a full tariff schedule applicable to calls transmitted from the central office via the internetworking carrier. The central office 31 starts the above process by the transaction function application section start message. The reply information is too long to fit in one transaction function application end message. Rather, the inter-exchange carrier responds with the tariff schedule in the transaction function application persist message sequence ending with the transaction function application end message.

FIG. 5 shows the implementation of the lowest cost call service using the above approach. Specifically, action block 5
04, 506 and 508 are the same as the operation blocks 301, 304 and 305 of FIG. 3, respectively. However, at action block 511 another service is offered to the subscriber. Specifically, it is assumed that the inter-exchange carrier is willing to specify the tariff that will be valid over the future period, such as half an hour. After retrieving the tariff from the inter-exchange carrier tariff database, the central office can immediately manipulate all tariffs that are valid throughout the future period (action block 511). When there is no benefit in waiting because none of the inter-network carriers offer a lower rate than the lowest rate currently available, the call is forwarded to the lowest cost carrier. (Action block 516).

When there is a benefit, the caller is informed when the tariff change becomes effective, and to inform the caller of relevant matters such as the financial benefit of waiting (action block). 514). The caller is prompted to indicate whether the call should be currently transferred (decision block 517). If the call should be transmitted at the moment, the call is
Is transmitted (action block 516). If the call is not to be currently transmitted, the call is not connected (action block 518).

If the caller wants to wait until a lower rate is available, the local exchange carrier will offer another service to automatically forward the call when the lower new rate comes into effect. Can be supplied. Specifically, the central office calls the outgoing telephone line when the new charges come into effect. Following termination of the terminal device from the hook, the terminal device may first receive a notice to the originating terminal that the call is a rescheduled call while waiting for the lower rate to take effect. As supplied, it will be connected to the called party.

The method of updating the charge schedule in the charge database 16 will be described in detail.

As described above, the inter-exchange carrier communication network 1
0 has a communication network monitoring management system 18. The communication network monitoring management system 18 may include one or more so-called operation support systems. As is well known, such network monitoring and management systems monitor factors such as call volume in various parts of the network and (for example, based on the data thus obtained) In order to control the routing of calls and the issuing of alarms to network operators, for example, the wide area switch complex, signal transfer points, signal transmission control points, transmission facilities and other communication network elements are connected.

The communication network monitoring management system 18 is the BX. The H.25 communication standard and the open system interconnection communication standard are used to connect to various communication network elements to be monitored and managed. Communication takes place via a switched digital communication network and / or a direct path (point-to-point connection). For example, a direct path may be used to connect the network monitoring and management system 18 to a wide area switch, with the digital network connection used as a back-up connection. According to one example, with the exception of the tariff database 16, the connection between the communication network monitoring and management system 18 and other communication network elements is made only via a digital communication network without backup connections.

In FIG. 1, path 181 represents all the links connecting communication network monitoring and management system 18 to a switched digital communication network. Signal transmission line 182
Represents the above-mentioned direct passage. A direct path exists between the communication network monitoring management system 18 and the charge database 16. The direct passage passes through one of the plurality of routes 182 (that is, the route 1821).

The network monitoring and management system 18 is programmed to report to the tariff database 16 certain pre-determined tariff management data. According to a preferred embodiment, the tariff management data comprises, at a minimum, the call volume at various points of the network and the status of the various network elements (active or inactive). Thereby, the charge management data is used to update the charge schedule by the charge database 16.

According to one feature of the invention, the charge database 16 is, for example, an ACM-SIGMOD Record.
d March 1988, No. 1, Vol. 17, pp. 51-70, Dayal and other papers "Hipack (Hi
PAC) Plan-Combining Active Database with Timed Constraints ", published at pages 215-224 of the 1989 ACM-SIGMOD Data Management International Conference in Portland, Oregon, May-June 1989. In addition, Geheini (McCarthy, et al., Architectural Database Management System Architecture), page 327-336 of the bulletin of the 17th International Very Large Database Conference held in Barcelona, Spain in 1991 ( Gehani) et al., "Ord as an Active Database-Constraints and Triggers," 1992, San Diego, California, 1992.
"Event Specification in Active Object-Oriented Database" by Geheini et al., Published in the ACM-SIGMOD International Conference Bulletin on Data Management in 2010, and
Geheini et al., "Complex Event Specifications in Active Databases-Models and Realizations", published in the bulletin of the 18th International Conference on Very Large Databases in Vancouver, BC (BC), Canada, August 1992. It is an in-service database of the type described in ".

When the conventional database is used in this embodiment, the concrete example of the software executed independently of the database manager is (a) repeatedly accessing the charge management data stored in the database, and (b). This data must be inspected and (c) provided to modify the long distance charges stored in the database based on a predetermined long distance charges modification algorithm. However, in the typical case, the large amount of data that will be stored in the database will likely require a very powerful and expensive processor to execute the software implementation as described above.

On the other hand, according to the operating database, the database manager stores (a) data,
(B) Generates an "alarm" or "trigger" (which initiates some action) when certain data meets pre-programmed criteria. Specific tariff management data, such as the volume of traffic passing through the switch, is used to determine whether there is sufficient "benefit" to ensure that it is accumulated at that point. Data is,
It is inspected and processed as received, requiring only a weak processor. In this case, the processing is updating the long distance charge.

As an example, when some criteria are met, the tariff database 16 can be programmed to reduce the long distance tariff for all calls transmitted between a particular wide area switch pair by a predetermined percentage. . Such a tariff reduction is that long-distance charges are more than those offered by other service providers for at least some calls that include said route as one of the points between two points. Since it can be cheaper, it is expected to have the effect of increasing the volume of calls passing through this route. The program in the fare database 16 is created so that the long distance fare is returned to the initial level at a time after other criteria are satisfied. In fact, if the conditions are right, it is possible that the charge will rise above the typical level.

The criteria may be very simple, such as reaching the call volume threshold (eg, measured in calls per hour or capacity rate) between the two exchanges.
On the other hand, the criteria may be fully complex, such as the one that considers the traffic volume trend involving a significant number of wide area switches within a period of time. Other factors that may be used include the load capacity rate of a particular network element, the functional status of various network elements (active or inactive), and the difference between call volume and predicted value, or these. A combination of factors is included.

Therefore, the fee database 16 is actually two databases. One database stores the charge management information used to generate the triggers. The other database stores the tariff schedule.

Criteria other than those relating to data provided by the network monitoring and management system 18 may also be used by the tariff database 16 to modify tariffs. For example,
The trigger generated by the tariff database 16 may take into account the long distance tariff offered by the inter-exchange carrier network 20. This long distance charge data is obtained by an SS7 format inquiry made to the charge database in the inter-exchange carrier communication network 20. Alternatively, a trigger may be generated for a network-based service, such as a network-based interactive game, as a function of demand level for a particular element of the network. Such data may also be obtained by an SS7 format inquiry from a signal transmission control point where entry into the game is managed.

The process of updating the toll charges accumulated in the toll database 16 is shown in FIG. As shown in action block 601, the network monitoring management system 18 and / or other tariff management data source is
This charge management data is supplied to the charge database 16. The tariff database 16 modifies the tariff based on the active database trigger generated in response to the tariff management data at action block 602. The updated charge is, as shown in action block 604,
In response to the active database trigger, it is immediately transmitted to the network billing system.

Considering this feature in more detail, it is understood that changes to long distance telephone charges within the tariff database 16 must be coordinated with the operation of the billing system (not shown) within the communications network. It In the typical case,
Such a billing system receives a newly created billing record by a long distance call at the end of a telephone call. Finally, each call is "charged" by the billing system. This means that the long distance telephone charges for the call were calculated based solely on the charges that were in effect when the call was made. The calculated charge is then added to the billing record for the call.

At this point, each long-distance telephony rate change made in the rate database 16 must be made known to the components of the entire billing infrastructure that define the rate for all telephone calls. This is done by having the rate database 16 transmit the changes into the billing system via an appropriate signaling link, and in response to the same trigger, an updated rate schedule is created. , Well before the time of validity, to ensure that the updated charges can be used for pricing calls made at the time of validity. Each update is accompanied by data that indicates when this update becomes valid.

[0057]

According to the present invention, the service supplier
For example, in order to take advantage of the unique calling patterns that may appear during the day, to match their calling schedule to this calling pattern, or to match demand to capacity, service providers Is advantageous to service providers in that it can increase or discourage calls on certain parts of their network. Service providers may also use the rate information to take into account rate changes initiated by other service providers. The present invention is advantageous to the subscriber as it allows the subscriber to "call" at the cheapest rate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a telecommunications network in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the steps performed within the telecommunications network of FIG. 1 to implement various embodiments of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart showing steps performed within the telecommunications network of FIG. 1 to implement various embodiments of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart showing steps performed within the telecommunications network of FIG. 1 to implement various embodiments of the present invention.

5 is a flow chart showing steps performed within the telecommunications network of FIG. 1 to implement various embodiments of the present invention.

6 is a flow chart showing steps performed in a telecommunications network to update long distance telephone charge information stored in a tariff database in the telecommunications network shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Inter-exchange network carrier 11 Wide-area exchange complex 12 Wide-area exchange complex 13 Wide-area exchange complex 15 Signal transfer point 16 Charge database 17 Signal transmission control point 18 Communication network monitoring management system 20 Inter-exchange network communication operator 30 Regional exchange network communication operator 31 Central Station 35 Signal transfer point 40 Private branch exchange 111 Wide area exchange 112 Common communication network interface ring 121 Wide area exchange 122 Common network interface ring 131 Wide area exchange 132 Common communication network interface ring

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Arnaud Allan Penzias United States, 08904 New Jersey, Highland Park, South Fifth Avenue 419 (72) Inventor David Gerald Bellanger United States, 08502 New Jersey, Bellmead, Royce Brooke Road 20 (72) Inventor Joel Kreger Young United States, 07748 New Jersey, Middletown, Kennedy Court 5

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A method of providing a long distance telephone charge to a caller, which is used by a telecommunications service provider for transmitting a call through a designated route of a telecommunications network (10), comprising: a. Accumulating in a database (16) rate information defining currently valid long distance telephone charges for at least one call routed in the telecommunications network; b. Supplying at least a part of the charge information to the originator of the call via a telecommunication signal transmission line (171, 15, 34, 35, 32) connected to the database. How to provide long distance telephone charges. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a live database. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the rate information includes rate information applicable to calls originating from the originator of the call. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (b), the portion of the charge information is provided in response to an inquiry from the originator of the call. 5. c. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying at least a portion of the accumulated charge information as a function of at least a first predetermined criterion. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein in step (b), the portion of the fee information is provided in response to the occurrence of the change. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the criterion is a function of at least a first call volume within the telecommunications network. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the criterion is a function of an operating state of at least one element of the telecommunications network. 9. d. At least one of the accumulated charge information as a function of the change of the charge information that determines the long-distance charge currently valid for the call transmitted on the specified route of the telecommunication network operated by the second telecommunication service provider. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying a portion. 10. A method in which a long-distance telephone call from a source to a destination is used by a device that can be routed through a service provider selected from at least two service providers. When the long distance telephone call is routed through the first service provider from at least a first service provider of the service providers via a telecommunication signal transmission line connected to the device; Receiving an applicable long distance telephone charge for said long distance telephone call, b. Selecting one particular service provider of all the service providers as a function of at least long distance telephone charges received from the first service provider; c. Routing the long distance telephone call through a selected facility of the service provider. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step (a) includes a step of inquiring of the first service provider via the telecommunication signal transmission line. 12. In the step (a), the device receives a long distance tariff schedule applicable to a call routed by the device, and the long distance tariff schedule is associated with the call. The method of claim 11, including the applicable long distance charges. 13. The step (a) includes receiving from the first service provider a long distance telephone tariff schedule applicable to calls originated from the device. The method described. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the long distance tariff schedule is provided to the device at the initiative of the first service provider. 15. The selection is another function of long distance tariff applicable to the call when the call is routed by a second of all service providers. The method of claim 10 characterized. 16. d. Via the telecommunication signal transmission line,
Further comprising receiving a long distance charge applicable to the call from a second service provider of all the service providers when the call is routed through the service provider. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein is another function of long distance telephone charges received from the second service provider. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected service provider is the service provider with the lowest long distance charges for the call.